Magnificat



This week, as we celebrate the fourth Sunday of Advent, many Christian congregations across the world will hear and perhaps sing a version of Mary’s great song, known as the Magnificat. You will find it in the Gospel of Luke chapter one, verses 46-55. It is a remarkable Bible text. Mary breaks into this song at the very beginning of […]

Come to Christmas worship



During this holiday season, a number of area churches host special services with caroling, community potlucks and fellowship. The following churches provided their holiday schedules. Merry Christmas, everyone! . Bethlehem Lutheran Church:Christmas Eve 5 p.m. and 9 p.m. . CornerstoneCommunity Church:Christmas Eve Service, 4:30 p.m. . First CongregationalUnited Church of Christ:Christmas Eve 5:30 p.m. . Life in Christ Lutheran Church: […]

Chili and Christmas with Elders



The Grand Portage Elders have been busy. They held a successful 10th Annual Chili Cook Off & Meat Bingo. Numbers were down a bit but everyone had a terrific time. We had 13 chilis entered. Third place went to Jon Sewald, a first-time entry. Second place went to last year’s winner Rick Johnson and the winner of the Chili Cook […]

Historical Reflections



Down Memory Lane



10 Years AgoDec. 16, 2005 A Minnesota Department of Natural Resources crew began drilling about a dozen holes, each to be some 20 feet deep, on the west shore of the Grand Marais harbor this week. The point of the drilling is to give the city, DNR and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers the data needed to evaluate the […]

Tofte project morphs to affordable or senior housing



Following a recent meeting between Tofte Supervisors Jeanne Larson and Jim King and the Cook County/Grand Marais Economic Development Authority (EDA) Larson said the township’s planned 12-unit senior housing, if built, will now be open to all potential renters, regardless of age. Larson, who is the township’s liaison for the housing project, spoke at Tofte’s December 10 meeting. Planning has […]

Schroeder votes to contribute $2,500 to Birch Grove Foundation



After an hour-long debate which at times got cantankerous, Schroeder supervisors agreed on December 8 to allocate $2,500 to the Birch Grove Foundation as voted on at the 2015 March annual township meeting. Supervisors voted 3-0 to honor the request. Speaking on behalf of Birch Grove Foundation (BGF) Coralyn Koschinska outlined why the money was necessary and where it would […]

City of Grand Marais 2016 budget adjusted again; increase now 5.7 percent



There was good news for Grand Marais taxpayers Dec. 9 as City Administrator Mike Roth told city councilors that some adjustments in the 2016 draft budget resulted in a lower levy increase than that which was previously approved. The major change occurred due to adjustments in what the city will pay for medical insurance. Specifically, Roth said one of the […]

Area truckers applaud route change through Duluth



Dean Berglund has spent his life trucking, hauling logs and pulpwood throughout the region and for a time, he even operated as a long-haul trucker hauling freight and goods coast to coast. That said, Berglund has seen convoluted trucking routes in his day, but none worse than the one that directed him to take loads of logs and wood through […]

Great season start at Lutsen Invite



The Cook County/Silver Bay Vikings Alpine ski season is under way with 22 great young people on this year’s team. They began on dry land back in November, hiking and running up and down hills in Grand Marais including everyone’s favorite, summiting the old city ski hill. The highlight of dry land was a team hike and jog up the […]